If you need a lawyer but cannot afford one, you might be able to get FREE LEGAL HELP from volunteer attorneys with the Pro Bono Program of the Montgomery County, MD, Bar Foundation, Inc.

What is the Pro Bono Program?

The Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program assists low-income residents of Montgomery County, Maryland obtain free legal representation and consultation. Volunteer private practice attorneys are solicited by the Program to provide free legal guidance and/or representation in the areas of absolute divorce, custody, name changes, adoption/guardianship, lanlord tenant law, bankruptcy/debt collection matters, wills and powers of attorney, and in limited circumstances immigration and empolyment cases. For more information call (301) 424-7651 or (301) 424-7652 or (301) 424-7633 or visit www.montbar.org. There is a $25 processing fee.

Who is eligible?

Clients must meet ALL of the following criteria to be eligible:

You must be a resident of Montgomery County.

You must earn a LOW INCOME.

You must need assistance in an area of law which volunteer attorneys will handle.

What types of cases are handled by the Program?*

Absolute Divorce

Separation Agreements

Custody

Adoption/Guardianship

Bankruptcy (Simple Chapter 7)

Debt Collection Defense

Private Landlord Tenant

Limited Immigration Cases

Limited Employment Cases

Wills and Powers of Attorney

*Individual circumstances vary and in some cases we may not be able to assist you.

What Cases are NOT HANDLED by the Pro Bono Program?

Emergency Cases

Criminal and Traffic Cases

Social Security or Worker's Compensatin Cases

Any Fee-Generating Cases

Public Benefits

Public Housing

Alimony/Child Support/Visitation (*if not part of custody/divorce proceeding)

Appeals

Post-Decree/Order or Enforcement or Modification Proceedings of Any Kind

Where do I go if I need to speak to an attorney right away?

Go for legal advice or legal information ONLY to our Montgomery County legal advice clinics at the following locations: (Sign-in at each location is during the first hour of service to speak to an attorney that evening)

Pro Bono Legal Advice Clinic Locations

Locations in Montgomery County, MD

TESS Community Service Center
1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month
(6:00 PM to 8:30 PM)
Tel: (301) 565-7675
8513 Piney Branch Rd.
Silver Spring, Maryland 20901
(corner of Piney Branch & Flower Ave.)

Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity
2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month
(6:00 PM to 8:30 PM)
Tel: (240) 777-6950
12900 Middlebrook Rd. 
Germantown, MD 20874
AND
(5:30 PM ~ 8:00 PM)
Tel: (240) 777-4940
11319 Elkin St.
Wheaton, MD 20901
(corner of Univ. Blvd. & Elkin St.)

East County Regional Services Center
1st & 2nd Thursday of each month
(5:30 PM ~ 8:30 PM)
Tel: (240) 777-8400
3300 Briggs Chaney Rd.
Silver Spring, MD 20904

CHECK-IN REQUIRED DURING FIRST HALF HOUR AT EACH CLINIC LOCATION 
CLINICS ARE A FIRST-COME FIRST SERVE BASIS

What do I do if I need more than legal advice? What do I do if I need an attorney to represent me for free?

Call the Pro Bono Program at (301) 424-7651, (301) 424-7652, and  (301) 424-7633 between the hours of 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Thursday for an initial eligibility screening.

We will mail you intake forms to complete and return to us, if, based on the information that you provide us, you appear to be eligible. With these forms you must include a $25.00 processing fee.

When your information is complete, we will place you on a waiting list for the next available attorney. When one of our volunteer attorneys agrees to review your case, we will send you a letter with your attorney's name and his or her phone number.

Will I get an attorney to represent me immediately?

NO. The Pro Bono Program depends on volunteers, so it may take several months to find an attorney available to represent you in court. For this reason, the Program cannot help people who have emergency cases. You may receive legal advice on a walk-in basis at the clinics.

Who will represent me?

The Pro Bono Program will refer you to a participating volunteer attorney. The volunteer attorney will review your case and decide, in his or her professional opinion, whether or not you need legal advice or representation. If he or she agrees to represent you, you and the attorney will sign a retainer agreement that outlines the scope of help to be provided.